OR. COLL.
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78
.06
S66
(July 1,
Smoke
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JULY 1, 2000
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A Publication of the I tf
Grand Ronde Tribe
UTT
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University of Oregon Library
Received on: 07-05-iZi00
Smoke signals
TRIBAL COUNCIL
ELECTIION
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55
KM
Diana George
EdPearsall
RickMcKnight
BobMercier
Tom Leno
Cheryle Kennedy
Margaret Provost
Leona Jeffers
Eugene LaBonte
MarkMercier
Les Houck
Shelley Hanson
Wesley West
Lottie Child
Val Grout
Albert Jeffers
Marcia Bolton
Tim Holmes
JanReibach
Claudette Parazoo
Loren Holmes
Steve Rife
Leon "Chips" Tom
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mn
'.i ll I I F I . . 1 t I 1 1 I I I n V I i I I ' I X.
lectnini Board! plays importantrole
dm: yearly. Tribal CymicDl Elecftiomis
By Brent Merrill
The Tribe has a new Election Board
in place for this year's Tribal Council
elections on Saturday, September 9.
The board's new chair is Ellen
Fischer and the vice chair is Joann
Mercier. Laura Gleason, Nancy Cole
man, Cherie Butler, Kimberley Camp
bell and Theresa Haller make up the
rest of the new Election Board. Haller
will serve as board secretary.
Board alternates are Claudia Leno,
Ruby Bigoni, Annabelle "Peachie"
Hamm, Bernice Jensen and Charlene
Hoover.
The board has established an office
in the Community Center that will be
a full-time office throughout the year.
Messages can be left on the Election
Board's answering machine at 879
2271. .The Tribe's Executive Officer Bob
Martin said Election Board members
hold an important and vital position
within the Tribal structure. -
"We need somebody to run the elec
tion," said Martin. "We want to ensure
the fairness of the election process.
We have Tribal members doing the
Tribe's business. We want to have an
honest election and get it done in a
timely manner."
Ballots will be mailed out to voters
in late July. A candidate's forum will
6
Voting determines who is on the Council and who
will lead the ribe. We thinly it is highly important for
everyone of voting age to f lease come and vote?
TMen Jiscfier, election Board chair
be held on Saturday, July 22 at 1 p.m.
at the Community Center.
Fischer said she wanted to partici
pate in the election process as a way
to give back to her Tribal community.
"I'm on the board because I wanted
to do something that involved me
with the Tribe," said Fischer of her in
volvement. "I think honesty is one of
the most important things the Elec
tion Board can provide for the Tribe.
Everyone that is on the board works
really hard and is dedicated. They are
very conscientious about confidenti
ality and they all do a fabulous job."
Fischer said the importance of hav
ing Tribal members actually vote is
extreme.
"Voting determines who is on the
Council and who will lead the Tribe,"
said Fischer. "We think it is highly im
portant for everyone of voting age to
please come and vote."
Because of the large number of
Tribal Council candidates this year, a
primary is being considered for next
year. The Election Board would like
Tribal member input on the possibil
ity of a primary during the next elec
tion process.
IN OTHER ELECTION NEWS:
According to board members, Tribal
Council candidate Wilber West has
dropped out of the race due to family
considerations.
Chair Ellen Fischer
Vice Chair ....... Joann Mercier
Secretary Theresa Haller
Members Laura Gleason
Nancy Coleman
Cherie Butler
Kimberley Campbell
Alternates Claudia Leno
Ruby Bigoni
Peachie Hamm
Bernice Jensen
Charlene Hoover
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